Gota overseas - adviced to be present on 26th
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The case filed by the Attorney General against the former Defence Secretary and six others was ordered by the Special three member High Court Judge bench to be moved to July 26th.

The case was taken up before the three High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Janaki Rajaratne today (19).

The first respondent in this case is Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and as he was not present in Court, his attorney President’s Counsel (PC) Ali Sabry informed that his client was unable to appear before the court for today’s trial as he had travelled overseas on May 31 for medical treatment.

However, Rajapaksa was discharged from the hospital on June 9th, the defence attorney said.

As Gotabaya Rajapaksa requires post-surgery rehabilitation for six weeks starting from June 9th, the PC Ali Sabry said his client is expected to return to the country on the 22nd of July.

Pointing out that his client’s presence is necessary for a fair hearing of the case, the defence attorney requested the Special High Court to move the case until his client returns.

He also presented medical reports pertaining to his client’s condition to support his claim.

State Counsel Wasantha Perera, the attorney-at-law representing the prosecution, did not raise objections to the request made by PC Ali Sabry and having cinsidered the submissions, the Special High Court judge bench moved the case to July 26th and advised the witnesses to report to the court for the next hearing date.

Permission granted to extend overseas travel period

Having considered the request made by Rajapaksa’s attorney, the Permanent High Court at Bar has decided to extend the time period granted to former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to travel overseas for medical treatment until July 24th.

The case was filed by the Attorney General alleging that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and six others including former Chairman of the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for misappropriating state funds accumulating to Rs 33.9 million during the construction of D.A. Rajapaksa Museum at Medamulana area in Hambantota.